Banks looking to improve Treviso attack

Treviso's new signing Marty Banks hopes he can help the PRO12 franchise develop their attacking approach when he makes the move to Europe.

Banks confirmed last week that he would be leaving the Highlanders to head to Italy for the 2016/2017 campaign.

A cult hero with the reigning Super Rugby champions, Banks will be sorely missed in Dunedin but after receiving an offer from Treviso boss Kieran Crowley to head to Europe – a potential deal with Castres previously fell through – Banks signed on.

"I'm leaving at the end of the NPC which, if Tasman goes good, will be at the end of October," Banks told Stuff.

"I know the club's results haven't been going well but talking to Kieran I know he's trying to turn them into more of an attacking team.

"He wants to give them the confidence to play more more, chance their arm and then hopefully some of those losses can turn into wins."

Banks' time recently with the Highlanders has been confined to appearances off the bench and rare starts, and now aged 26 he hopes for more regular minutes with his new side.

"It was overseas or retire and I don't feel like retiring just yet," Banks said.

"Super Rugby takes up a lot of your year and the NPC is done is a blink of an eye, and that's where I get most of my game time.

"I play footy for the enjoyment factor and although I don't mind training, it does make for a pretty long season with bugger all game time being behind Lima Sopoaga, a future and current All Black. But that's no one else's fault, that's just the way it is with Sops going so well and it's best for the team that he plays as much minutes as possible.

"For me, the timing just didn't fall into place for me and my progression as a rugby player as probably hit a peak in New Zealand in terms of game time.

"So it seems to be the right time to go overseas and I'm sure I'll find out if it's the right move when I get over there."